Bt references

[James J. Kruse]

Hello,

On Fri, 26 Jun 1998, Pierre A Plauzoles wrote:

> While I respect your expertise, it is to be noted that Bt is a very big 
> factor in the destruction of a large number of species of lep 
> populations. 

I would like some references that support the above statement please!

Also of note, the elms sprayed with Bt as Semjase has mentioned were
probably sprayed for the dreaded Scolytus multistriatus (elm bark beetle)
that feeds on the twigs, establishing the Dutch elm fungus (that weakens
the tree for attack by bark beetles in a year or two). If that is
indeed what they were spraying for (I don't know what else to suspect)
they would have used the Bt strain that kills beetles, not leps. 

I have an additional little factoid I'd like to put out, and that is
Nymphalis antiopa (mourning cloak to some) feeds on Salicaceae, and I have
never heard of it feeding on elm or other Ulmaceae. I have found Polygonia
interrogationis feeding on elm in good numbers. Similar looking larvae,
except it is usually brown, not black with red dorsal spots like antiopa.

Sorry to belabor the Bt thread.

Cheers!
Jim Kruse
University of California at Berkeley
Dept. of Environ Sci, Policy and Mgmt.
Div. of Insect Biology
Sperling Lab
201 Wellman Hall
Berkeley, California, 94720-3112
(510) 642-7410/5114
http://www.CNR.Berkeley.EDU/sperlinglab/sperlinglab.html